Guwahati: A massive protest was staged by Congress leaders and workers in Darrang district of Assam today in response to allegations surrounding the sale of 90 Gir cows procured by the government for the Garukhuti Agricultural Project. The cows were reportedly sold to private individuals, including the wife of Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah, sparking widespread criticism.
The protest, which drew a large number of Congress workers, was also attended by Assam Pradesh Youth Congress president Zubair Anam, Darrang District Congress Vice President Rijumoni Talukdar and Darrang Youth Congress President Abdullah Sheikh.
Addressing the media, Rijumoni Talukdar stated that the party had gathered to submit a memorandum following reports of the deaths of 90 out of 300 Gir cows brought to Assam as part of the project, aimed at boosting milk production and rural employment.
“We all remember what happened during the Gorukhuti eviction drive in September 2021,” Talukdar added. The party has demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities, including cattle smuggling and misappropriation of public property.
The controversy centres on the alleged sale of the cows due to “inadequate infrastructure” to house them, as claimed by Minister Baruah. A list of buyers was subsequently released, revealing that his wife had purchased 20 of the cows. The Congress party has filed complaints with various police stations, seeking action against the minister for alleged “misappropriation of public property, cheating, and corruption” in connection with the procurement of cows for the project.
The Assam Jatiya Parishad and Raijor Dal have also called for an inquiry into the alleged sale of government-procured cows to individuals with ties to ministers and other elected representatives. The Garukhuti Agricultural Project was established following a large-scale eviction drive, which resulted in the deaths of two individuals, including a 12-year-old boy.
Through the protest, the Darrang District Congress Committee has called upon the Governor and Chief Minister to investigate allegations of misconduct under the guise of state assistance, specifically regarding suspected cattle smuggling. The opposition parties are likely to continue pressing for answers on this issue, further fuelling the controversy surrounding the Garukhuti Agricultural Project.
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